Uber suspends Nevada operations, affecting nearly 1,000 jobs

Uber said nearly 1,000 jobs had disappeared in Nevada after the ridesharing company was forced to temporarily suspend operations in the U.S. state.

The move by Uber came after Washoe County District Court Judge Scott Freeman issued this week a preliminary injunction preventing Uber from statewide operations.

Uber, which allows users to call a ride using an app on their smartphones, has like its peers come in for criticism from traditional taxi operators and some governments.

Soon after it started operations in Nevada in October, regulators with the Nevada Taxicab Authority and the Nevada Transportation Authority immediately went after Uber drivers as illegal and unlicensed carriers, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

In view of the court decision, Uber said it was temporarily suspending service "as we evaluate a path forward." Emphasizing its commitment to Nevada, the company said it had opened doors to thousands of people looking to supplement their income or find a way to support themselves and their families.

"We remain committed to the tens of thousands of Nevadans who already rely daily on Uber," it added.

A petition, asking Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval and Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto to work with Uber to "find a permanent home for ridesharing in Nevada," had mustered close to 18,000 signatures on Thursday, about 7,000 short of its goal. Uber, with operations in 220 cities and 45 countries, said Nevada was the first state in the U.S. to temporarily suspend its services.

John Ribeiro covers outsourcing and general technology breaking news from India for The IDG News Service. Follow John on Twitter at @Johnribeiro. John's e-mail address is john_ribeiro@idg.com

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